Heightened security measures are being taken at airports nationwide after Saturday's incident at the Glasgow Airport in Scotland, when two men rammed a sport utility vehicle into the front doors of the main terminal.

A day earlier, police in central London discovered two cars loaded with explosives. According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the national aviation threat remains at "orange" level, where it was raised last fall, when British police stopped a plot to blow up a U.S.-bound plane.

Standing close to traffic, before the roadway forks to the parking and terminal entrances, Allegheny County Patrolman John Gay motioned two vehicles at a time into the search zone, an area marked off by orange cones, barrels and concrete barriers. Flagged motorists appeared confused at first, until security officers in black boots, gray pants, short-sleeved shirts and ballcaps explained they were looking for explosive devices as a safety measure. And after peering into trunks, under hoods, in glove boxes and beneath seats, motorists were permitted to go, with a smile, wave and a "have a nice flight."

Gay said police are conducting searches on every shift, and officers aren't using any particular method to pick out vehicles, nor are they paying attention to age, race, gender, car brand or passenger numbers, which would otherwise make the searches illegal, he said.

"These are just random checks," Gay said.

Karen and Ramon Porter of Levitt, Texas, who were flying to Dallas, took the search in stride.

"It's kind of annoying. Otherwise, these people have to do what they have to do," Karen Porter said.

But Milwaukee residents Matt Jones and Melia Danielson, in town for the Pirates-Brewers game, were a little flustered about being pulled over as they headed toward an airport hotel for check-in.

"I think it's a waste of my time," Jones said.

In flip-flops and basketball shorts, Colin Russell, 22, of Orlando, Fla., took the opportunity to rummage through his own trunk to find his missing keys. His mother, Georgine Dodson of Altoona, who was dropping him off for a flight, said she thought it was unfortunate national security has gone to random searches, but would rather have proactive security than lackadaisical, reactive security.

Ed Beckles, 57, of North Brunswick, N.J., also didn't mind having his car searched if, he said, it would make Americans feel more secure.

"As long as I catch my plane," Beckles said. "I have nothing to hide, I'm just in a hurry."

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